True Friends Strengthen and Help Each Other

There are many obvious blessings that come with adoption. However, there are some that are unexpected. Since bringing Ella home I have made several wonderful friends  - I've met other women who have also adopted. There are two friends that I love like sisters. I can't remember my life before having them on my side to lift me and make me smile.

Greta Jo (Cinderella and Carson's mama) is one. She and I met a few years ago through blogging. She flew to Kentucky to meet us. I remember seeing her, JK and Carson pull up to the house. They were all three dressed in plaid shorts. Me, Dave, Myles and Ella were all dressed in tye dye - but, fashion aside, our bond was immediate and strong. We planned to travel to Guatemala together. The trips we've shared have served to bring us closer. There are some things in life that we witness that break us, and we are never meant to heal from them. I can't wait to meet Greta Jo in Guatemala again. I am looking forward to that hug!

Sarah (Sophie's mom) is another close "sister" of mine. We are blessed to live less than an hour apart.

She is the kind of person who loves lifting others up. Sophie and Ella are very close, and will be throughout their lives. Being around Sarah makes me happy. She inspires me do silly things like this... Notice the wine bottle in the background.

Ella's birthday is in August. She'll be six - I can't believe it! Sarah decided that Ella needed a new bedroom. I can understand why...

 

We (she) planned a room proper for a princess. We worked our butts off. We're both on a tight budget, so we reused as many things as possible and shopped clearance items.

All weekend long we worked...and look how well our hard work paid off!

Ella LOVES here new room! And I LOVE Sarah. She is such a thoughtful and giving friend. She always makes the extra effort to send me a text, make a phone call (which I'm never awake late enough to receive) or send an email. I'm so thankful for ALL of the blessings that adoption brings!!

True Friends Strengthen and Help Each Other

Ecclesiastes 4:9–12
Two people are better off than one, for they can help each other succeed. If one person falls, the other can reach out and help. But someone who falls alone is in real trouble. Likewise, two people lying close together can keep each other warm. But how can one be warm alone? A person standing alone can be attacked and defeated, but two can stand back-to-back and conquer. Three are even better, for a triple-braided cord is not easily broken.



We Love Good Love

My brother got married last Saturday. He married a fabulous, gorgeous woman who has two fabulous, gorgeous daughters. They stood in front of their family and friends and promised to stay together and support one another forever -and to respect one another as children of God. It was a beautiful ceremony and we had such a great time eating dinner together and celebrating afterward. We are blessed that two families have officially become one.

At the same time it turned my mind to the past. I am so disappointed (and hurt) that Ella's father did not want to do the work it takes to keep our family together. Don't get me wrong - I know that I am at fault, too...but in the end I wanted us to stay together and he did not. At times the feelings are overwhelming. I pray that we can still give Ella everything she deserves. Divorce sucks ass. I hate it.

On the other hand I do realize how blessed we still are. We still are a family filled with love and I have so much support from my family and friends. I don't know what I would do without them. This family is filled with good love! The kind that DOES last forever. The kind that never gives up and never goes away!

Here is a picture of me, my mother and my sister.







My sister and I are twins. Can you tell?

Til Death Do Us Part...

And of course me and Ella...together forever.

June 2011 - One Year Later

Hey! I'm back. I haven't blogged in a year and I think I need to do something about that! Here is a quick update about what's been going on...

#1 Ella just graduated from Kindergarten!
#2 I'm traveling to Guatemala in August - I can't wait to go back. I haven't been since 2009.
#3 More to come... maybe some surprises
#4 My baby isn't a baby anymore -she's a beautiful big girl and the biggest blessing I have in my life.

June's Jumping Bean

Ella and I are having a terrific summer. I am NOT a winter person. Some part of me dies inside during the winter - and I'm not being dramatic. I despise it. We have had so much fun this summer. Ella finished soccer and started tball. I don't see a future for her in this particular sport. She was the only one on the team that actually got tagged out. Thank goodness they don't really play by those rules. She was allowed to finish running the bases - not that she really wanted to. It was over 90 degrees that day. The warmer weather has sent us running for the pool. My dad, sister, brother, nieces and nephew have been around for some pool time. It has been so nice being with everyone. We've been going to the Downtown Summer Concert Series and hanging out with friends. I wish the entire year could be as nice as the past couple of months have been. Here are some recent pictures.

Happy Derby Weekend

One Crazy Life!

Our family and friends have had so many things happen lately. Some awesome, some bizarre -- these are two adjectives I think accurately describe us!

My brother, Danny, has met a fabulous woman. We met her for the first time last weekend and she is just weird and quirky enough to fit in perfectly with our family.

My niece, Hannah, was baptized last Sunday. Isn't she preciously innocent?

One of my friends finally received "the call" to travel to Korea and pick up her son. Shouting JOYOUSLY and with PRAISE!!!! Christine will be a fabulous mother - she is a beautiful person both inside and out. I would say her son is lucky, but we all know who the lucky ones are, don't we?

Ella had a terrible reaction to something. We don't know what exactly caused it, but I'm placing my money on pollen. Didn't she look awful? I raced her to the doctor and then raced her to the ER. Thank goodness she was fine. She was on steroids for a while - whew! They certainly changed her attitude. I'm still waiting for her attitude to adjust back...I'll just keep waiting...

This was her a few days later. All better and beautiful!!My sister, Angela and sister-by-choice, Amber are preparing to travel back to Guatemala. This is Angela's third time and Amber's first. I am very sorry that I won't be there to see Amber's face when she steps off the plane. I know she is in for a life-changing experience. She has wanted to go since I brought Ella home in 2006. I pray the Lord will use my family to be his hands...And His feet... Ella has a new obsession. She is wild about painting fingernails and toenails. Didn't she do a beautiful job?

When I was younger I played soccer. I was never any good, but I had fun. Ella has started playing soccer. A friend of mine from elementary school shared this picture with me. Me, Angela and Danny are all in it. I'll let you figure it out...

Ella and William - wearing the same colors as I did so many years ago!

We have had such a great time visiting with family lately. My dad is home from Florida and it has been so nice having everyone in at home at the same time!

I know you would love an update on our adoption. Currently we are on hold due to lack of funds. I am praying and keeping my heart and mind open to a different route that He might have in mind for us. Maybe fostering to adopt? Who knows?